manc_don

To be fair, Mini didn't say anything different to what me and Funster were joking about a few days ago (Spurs song reference, which is what mini was doing, I assume anyway). Shocking tackle from the elephant washers son he should have been sent off for that tackle. I just hope they get that red card rescinded, because Fletcher had a great game, and that was a phenomenal tackle. On a side note, my friend and I noticed that Berbatov was incredibly lazy, apart from his awesome three touch clearance . Why can't he do that up front?!? When is the final?

That did amuse me, but what annoyed me was the little tink went down like he'd been snipered from the back of the RDS!

Well clearly, a bit of quality to make me Fair play, you got me there

It wouldn't surprise me, surely they must anticipate a smaller crowd than normal with it being on a Thursday night. I can't see more than 2000- 2,500 going.

It took me a while to forgive Langfield, but I think he has matured as a professional and as a keeper since the Mallorca-gate "scandal". I'd agree, he certainly has been one of the consistent performers this season and certainly deserves praise. There have been countless times where he's kept us in games. Yes ok, we know his kicking isn't the best, but I actually think he's improved on all other aspects of his game. Everyone has an off day and I think it would be unfair to single out Langfield for that semi. The team were terrible (from what I heard). He's proved he cares for the jersey, and thats all I ask of a player (ok a bit of quality to )

Sounds like a good initiative, hopefully it will entice a few supporters for the game, of course it all hinges on Thursday, win that, and I think Pittodrie will be far busier.

I think United are playing at the level I would expect them to, but as you rightly say Ajja, we are currently severely underperforming. I think its just the inconsistency of everyone around us that we are even still within a shout of fourth. If we get it, I will be chuffed and it will be a show of character from the players and the club. They have faced criticism this season (and rightly so) but have yet to prove that the criticism is unjustified. Three points are not inconceivable, though unlikely with the way they are performing. But as i've said before, football is a strange game in which anything can happen Hopefully their fight begins on Thursday!

I don't think sitting back is the right way to approach this game at all. Arsenal will be all guns blazing. Look at what happened last time United sat back at the Emirates! But I shall trust Ferguson, I think he has a small bit more experience than me Hopefully its just more of the Fergie mind games

Don't get me wrong, I would thoroughly love to see him stay (albeit on reduced terms) and providing he'd stay fit. But its the latter that we very rarely see, infact we haven't seen since Copenhagen. Its incredibly rare for a player, who doesn't have any direct associations (i.e. born in Aberdeen/fan) with the club to actually want to stay. He's a sensible man, but I just fear its too late for him now Hopefully though, we make Europe and he accepts/the club offer him a deal on severely reduced terms. I would be happy with that.

Agreed. I wouldn't hand him out any sort of contract. He has to understand that despite the skills we all know he has, he can't get the same contract he's on due to his lack of playing time. At this rate I don't think he deserves one, despite him appearing to be a nice guy and genuinly enjoying (when fit) playing for the club. As I said, there is no doubting his ability, but I just can't see how they could justify it.

I think that was the one! Well, it must be because i've not seen it since and my mates thought I was lying! So i'll claim it as that

Geovanni does look like a twat. Good footballer when he wants to be though.

This is exactly what i've been saying for months. People keep saying that they are weak etc...but I can't see it? I know they had a wobble, but they've steadied the ship and seem to have their goal in their sights and making sure no-one stops them. Added to the fact that they do score late goals, I find it difficult to remain optimistic about our season let alone Thursday. But we will see, I am not being a doom merchant, as you know Ajja, I am generally fairly optimistic, but I just can't see this happening. I hope I am wrong and Thursday will be a magical beginning to the start of our season. btw BB, you been rucking with the Partick boys again, I can hear the chopper

See, they've done this before though. I remember over the summer I saw one where he was talking to her on the phone, something about BT mobile or something like that, and never seen it since, and no-one I know has seen it!

Wtf! when did I miss the big reunion?!? Cos they've been apart for ages. Last one I saw, he was having a nightmare that he didn't have a broadband connection, then woke up with BT.

From the BBC. I don't think he can really blame the club can he?

After Saturday I think this is the team I would want to face the Arabs: Langfield Foster Mair Seve Mulgrew Pawlett MacDonald Kerr Aluko Miller Maguire Whilst some might be shocked in seeing I think Pawlett should start, I just think its worth a gamble. I think he'll offer more than Duff and if not, bring Duff on. I don't want to see Smith anywhere near the first team though I have a feeling JC will use him. Obviously if he came and scored the winner I wouldn't complain

I'm not accusing him of not putting in a shift. He harries defenders and is a general pain in the arse etc...but I think the end of your point is more what I was alluding to. He misses more than he converts. Is Maguire not on the same goal tally as him but half as many starts this season? I don't think Mackie creates that many, but certainly misses the vast majority of the chances he gets. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Maguire is anywhere near the finished product or the end of our striking woes. I just acknowledge what he did on Saturday. Mini, ok, he wouldn't get slated by me. Maybe sections of our support would, but I thought it was a refreshing performance by Maguire.

I disagree. If Mackie put in a shift like Maguire did that game, I don't think people would have many qualms over it. Maguire created chances for himself. Mackie very rarely does it.

I honestly don't see the point in playing Jamie Smith, he'll only have to be subbed for getting injured again.

IS it on just now?

As I said, a better striker would have, and yes, he should have the basic skills to be able to do that, but I wonder if he's always so determined to score he gets a rush of blood to the head and panics. Then again, you could say that about a lot of players in our squad, professional footballers at a top flight club that fail to show the basic abilities/requirements of a professional footballer.

I went for Maguire. His best performance I've seen in a red shirt since the Killie game all those years ago. Though a special mention has to be said to Langfield and Aluko Kerr.